Maya - Defeats

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Creative Journaling Challenge

One of the first things that your therapist may ask you to do is journaling because it has some intrinsic value to your healing journey, and can reveal much about yourself that you may not know how to readily express in person. Throughout my childhood, I wrote journals because I loved to write and I loved to do research and write creatively based on some knew things that I learned.

Everyone has a process, even if they don't know what that process is at first. To begin journal writing, sometimes you just have to dive on in and create your own style -- whether is it involving singular words written randomly, random drawings, random lines and circles and/or spirals/mandela looking things, and/or actual combination of sentences (whether or not they are telling a cohesive story). It's encouraged that you just "go with it" and allow your emotions to pull through. SOME DAY (not necessarily required activity though) you may want to look at the prior journals that you have done when you are more healed than you are at the present day; however, if it is something that you are afraid that someone else may get hold of them and use them against you, you may want to hide them for safekeeping and/or destroy them after a period of time. The most important part is to get your thoughts on paper so that you have a frame of reference to measure how much you have come along on your healing journey.

Some will choose to blog their thoughts on a private blog; however, if you are being controlled by an abuser (like an abusive husband), they CAN (not necessarily are) be monitoring your computer as well. Don't panic. Just make sure that you are doing so from a safe location and computer before you do. Just a caveat to be aware of. We always would like to know that you are safe when you are journalling.

Another option....

you can practice journaling aspects/techniques (not necessarily your own story and/or anything related to your direct feelings) through writing creatively through a number of free contests.

One of the ones I like to do is the ones through what is called National Novel Writing Month (aka "NaNoWriMo"), which is usually in November of each year; however, they stage many other contests like the one that is coming up in April called "Camp NaNoWriMo". They have many genres to write in, and this year they have added a few more, including poetry (in case poetry is your forte). It isn't so much a contest in the greater sense of the word but it is more of a challenge to challenge yourself to meet your personal best. They are rallying up the interest and many "campers" are returning (virtually) to put themselves to the challenge again. Sometimes, it is just to see how much you can write; sometimes, it is just to see if you can meet your goal at all. Sometimes, it is just from the sheer excitement of the idea that you can push yourself towards reaching a goal -- a goal that is usually within 30 days versus the types of goals that we set for ourselves to accomplish in a year, two years, or even five or ten years from now. It is a much easier accomplishment to obtain, one that you can receive gratification in this one month, rather waiting for the outcome that may or may not come to fruition in the future year(s).

If you are up for the challenge to practice your creative side of the brain, jump on in. Click on the photo below to their website and sign up today:




Camp NaNoWriMo Registration :)



If you choose not to do this challenge this time, make sure that you tickle your calendar to sign up the next time around.

20 comments:

  1. Hi Kathryn,
    I've kept personal journals for years, and thought I have many fine books on my bookshelf, my personal reflections are worth the most. I have written on the value of keeping such journals before as well. One quick perusal through a past journal shows immediate changes in perception and growth as a person.

    I think the easiest way for people to start journalling is to write as they do their best friend. It doesn't need to be complicated, only express what's on their heart.

    Kind Regards,
    Bill

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    1. You're exactly right -- it really doesn't need to be complicated. I think folks need to set aside any reservations and "just do it" as Nike would say. Also, it needn't take up any more than just about 5 minutes or less per day.

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  2. I love writing and also challenges. I will check their website Kathryn :)

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    1. Oh, please do! It's been a fun tradition of mine to do these NaNoWriMo challenges whether in the Spring or the Fall. :)

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  3. I love journals! I have always kept one and I even use them as sort of a scrapbook as well. I write in them and glue pictures and quotes, etc. I haven't been working on any recently, but this has inspired me to start again. I love writing and keeping a journal is definitely a form of therapy as well. Thanks for the great article! :-)

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    1. Oh, that's a great idea! I wonder how many scrapbookers consider themselves journalists as well? :)

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  4. Thank you for sharing this Website - I used to journal all the time. Maybe it's time to jump back into the habit!

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  5. I use to journal all the time. I would write about any and everything that would cross my mind. I think that my mother has my old journals still. I can only imagine what is in it!

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    1. Might be a good idea to pull them out and peruse them to find out! :)

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  6. I've tried journaling in the past, but never had the discipline to keep it up. I can see how it can help with healing

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    1. I think some folks mistake that they need to do it every day. There really is no hard and fast rule to do it on a regular basis like that. In fact, I have some art journals that there might be months in between creating new pages in it. Sometimes, I think that makes it all that much more interesting... especially when going back to peruse it later. :)

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  7. That is very interesting to do this on-line. I don't journal though.

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    1. A blog is a type of journal though. I think some folks forget how high tech it can be these days. It doesn't have to be done in just in a notebook type of journal. The definition of journaling today has expanded over the decades. I'd encourage you to try it (even just for a week or two); you may find that you like it. :)

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  8. I always wanted to journal and start, but don't keep it up. I really should do this. Thanks for the reminder and tips.

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  9. I also love writing,but I haven't tried journaling, I think will try now, thanks!

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    1. Great! I hope you enjoy it! Keep me posted on what you think after you have tried it!

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  10. I've journaled on and off for many years.Every now and then I read a journal entry. They are going to serve me well when I write my memoirs!

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    1. Exactly! Having a goal to include them in some memoirs in the future is a great reason to start journaling now. There is no way that we can remember ALL about our past. It can help to provide that title or theme in the memoirs when it comes time to do so.

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